How has Upshaw looked (I'm guessing not great if the Lakers cut him). He always kind of intrigued me. He has had his troubles. I don't think we have a spot on the roster for him (probably too many guys at that position), but he would be an interesting guy to consider. Edit: Just read Pinwheel's post. That's disappointing. I was rooting for the guy and a lack of work ethic is not a great way to start.
Yeah he has the talent to play in this league but mentally he's not there. I'm glad teams are more weary of these guys nowdays, 15 years ago he'd have a multi year guaranteed contract. Maybe in a few years he'll decide to work hard for it. Or maybe he'll never amount to anything.
If we cut Montero it means the coaches and Neil don't think his upside warrants a roster spot. I believe the decision to keep him is basically independent of keeping Phil. Its not that Phil beat out Luis its that Luis failed at being worth a spot. Since Phil and Tim both have non-guaranteed contracts we could basically delay the decision of who to cut into the season. We will have to pay more of their contracts than now but the deals aren't fully guaranteed until January.
They are both signed for the minimum put Phil's is for more money since he has more years of NBA experience. The NBA, not the Blazers, pay the difference.
The 15-man roster max prevents us from delaying the decision, assuming Johnson is the only other player cut.
Yeah, that's why I altered my initial post. Point is, the decision isn't just between Frazier and Pressey if Montero is also a consideration. It's a choice to cut one of the three.
Luis Montero is untouchable around here. Even if a guy like Pj3 is cut (even though many of us were hoping for him this offseason) we can't cut Montero. He's a future all star
Is he untouchable? Or have some people flat out decided he sucks when they haven't even seen him play... At least we can see that Pressey won't make a difference, so then we go to the idea if neither will make a difference why not keep the 6'7" guy with virtually untapped potential over the 5'11" we know is only what he is.
I have seen him play. I havent been impressed. I agree with you on keeping the untapped potential, but not if a guy like Perry Jones 3 is available to pick up. Imo the chances Montero becomes anything at all is .000000000001%
Yeah my take from everything I've seen, read, and heard with Montero is he's a complete waste of a roster spot this year. Obviously Neil and Stotts know more than me; so if he stays I'll be excited they must've seen something I haven't and if he's cut it'll confirm my personal observations.
The thing about Luis Montero is that he is young. You have all the time you want right now to mentor him and be what Allen Crabbe was, learn and stay ready for when it's time to shine in a couple years, he is ready for the oppertunity.
Uhhhhh no. Crabbe was a Pac 12 player of the year. Montero is 22 and can't even tie his own shoes. He is not that young, and frankly hasn't shown shit. He wasn't even that good at the community college level. People just freak out of his body type. I see a skinny, guy that's a lost project. Sure, keep him over pressey if you really want. But there are more talented guys that will be released this week I'd rather take a chance on
The thing about being a young basketball player is there's a hundred thousand of them out there all over the globe. To earn one of the 15 spots on an NBA roster you need much more than youth. Montero needs the potential to make a beneficial impact. What are the odds of the team seeing that possibility in the next year? If it's 10% sure then keep him. If its 2% perhaps you do it until a better prospects comes along. If its 0.1% or a one in a thousand chance then don't waste the coaching staff nor teammate's time.
The end of the bench is where you sit young potential and veteran tutors. Montero is the former; Pressey is neither. Pressy must go. It isn't a choice between Montero and Pressey, it's choice between Montero and PJ3 or someone like that. I await Olshey's decision.
